Salvation Army Emergency Services responds to flooding at Forbes

Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) volunteers are assisting in the relief effort, as major flooding spreads across the Central West of NSW.

The floodwaters have forced the evacuation of many residents in the town of Forbes, with an SAES team serving meals and assisting those impacted by the rising waters.

The local team of six volunteers is serving more than 40 meals per day, mainly to military personnel who are helping with the flood relief and other support agencies in the evacuation centre.

“The floodwaters are at major levels and are expected to remain high for some time with further rain forecast for midweek,” said Norm Archer, SAES Director.

“There is potential for this event to be prolonged. Out-of-area SAES support teams are being arranged to support the Forbes/Parkes SAES team later in the week.”

Captain Meaghan Gallagher, Forbes Corps Officer, reported that as of this morning (Monday 26 September) all Salvation Army properties in the town are safe.

“This may change if the water continues to rise (and) we are not sure yet whether the water levels have peaked,” she said. “We will continue to monitor the situation as well as serve at the evacuation centre.”